Jmint, I have not used this product, but I have used other wood fillers. It's a lot of work. the poor reviews are probably because they didn't take the time to use it correctly. I happen to like the grain. However, if you use 2-3 coats of primer, (you must sand between each coat and clean well) you will lose most of the grain-look. I like the spray can of Zinsser Oil base primer. You could brush it too, but because it's so thick, I find it easier to spray, and then sand w/a 220 to knock down any high spots or rough patches. Your cabs look like they still have a heavy clear coat on them. you will have to sand, use a deglosser and the primer to make sure you get nice adhesion. Another option you could do would be to get new doors (without the arch). You can buy unfinished doors/drawer fronts, in the oak. Painting the unfinished new ones would be a lot less work. all you'd need to do is a quick fine sand, prime, sand, and paint. a few less steps then what you have on there now. Plus, if you get the new style doors, it will look updated more than the arched style you have. You could also check craigslist. People often sell oak doors and drawers. you may luck out and find your size. don't forget to scrape the ceiling while you're at it. if you want to keep the wood cabs, then at least change the counters/backsplash. Look into a pre-fab quartz countertop and a simple tile backsplash. that will appeal to more people than what you currently have. same cabs. they added trim work to the end panels and the island, and added boxes to cover the gap to the ceiling. new granite/tile splash heck,,just going from this, to this, makes a huge difference. No way the oak looked better in the before shot

For the record, I really like what you’ve done so far with your house. I think it’s hard for posters of a certain age to understand that trends, particularly among the younger generations, is much more fluid and can’t be contained to one genre. We are far less rigid, and for us, decorating is a process, not an event, resulting in a house that is uniquely OURS. (I’m posting this from my room with a leather sectional, rustic bench, scandi-inspired wet bar, and mcm bookcase.) I agree with previous posters that hardware will make a world of difference in your cabinetry. I lean toward matte black (might be too dark, it’s hard to tell from photos) or an unlaquered brass or brushed gold, if you have that anywhere else. Switching the faucet out to something less generic of a style/finish would also help. I would look for some rugs (I tend to like a flat-weave) with a subtle pattern/texture and maybe some patterned throw pillows for the couch. A cool backsplash would help, but I think you’ll want to replace your counter (and maybe sink?) when you do it, so I would hold off for now until you decide for sure what you want. There are some decent laminates out there, even prefab ones that don’t have the built-in 4” backsplash, which would go a long way toward making your kitchen look custom.

I would see about adding some glass door cabinets above the ones you have, I think art that mimics looking out a window to some place you love would be best above the sink. I agree a counter depth fridge and no to the panels on either side fridges need air all around them unless made to be built in. The rest keep as is for now and down the road if the soace functions well then you can always paint the cabinets and remove that small strip of backsplash you have and replace with tile.Yes to some nice knobs or pulls but for use to advise that we need to know a bit more about your style.

I will let others address the hood issue, but if you want a higher-end (or higher-end looking) Kitchen, consider these other ideas: If your refrigerator is not a true built-in refrigerator, then build in the refrigerator to make it appear built-in by surrounding it by 3/4" end panels finished to match your cabinetry and deep enough to cover the sides of the refrigerator (not the doors). Then install a full-depth cabinet above the refrigerator and b/w the end panels, pulling the cabinet so its front is flush with the fronts of the end panels and the refrigerator box. The hood should be 6" wider than the range. So, a 36" range should have a 42"W hood that's also 24" deep. The island should be at least 41.5" deep and have a 15" clear seating overhang: ----> 1.5" counter overhang in front + 24"D cabinets + 1" decorative door/end panel on the backs of the cabinets + 15" seating overhang (clear leg/knee space) = 41.5" Aisles should be at least 42" with 48" even better. Note that aisles are measured to/from the items that stick out into the aisle the farthest -- counter overhangs, appliance handles, etc. They are not measured cabinet-to-cabinet as that measurement only includes the cabinet box, not the doors/drawer fronts, hardware, or counter overhang. If you can fit it, put a sink in the island so it can be used as a Prep Zone. I second the idea for the MW drawer; it is much more useable than a standard MW installed in an under-counter alcove.